Crime levels in Trafford drop by nearly 3,500 (From Messenger Newspapers)

Crime levels in Trafford drop by nearly 3,500

3:38pm Thursday 5th April 2012 in News

LATEST figures show that the number of victims of crime in Trafford has fallen by almost 3,500 over the past two years.

The statistics, from April 2011 to March 2012, showed there have been 1,557 fewer victims of crime across the borough compared to the same period one year earlier and 3,489 less compared to the same period two years earlier.

The number of victims of all types of crime has also fallen.

There has been 225 fewer victims of burglary, a 24 per cent reduction, 127 fewer victims of robbery, a 37 per cent reduction, 339 fewer victims of theft, a nine per cent reduction, 286 fewer victims of vehicle crime, a 22 per cent reduction, and 623 fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour, a seven per cent reduction, As well reducing crime, the latest neighbourhood policing surveys show that police and partners in Trafford are reducing the fear of crime.

Out of 1,700 people interviewed across the borough since April 2011, 92 per cent thought the police were doing a good or excellent job, a six per cent improvement on the previous year.

In the past 12 months, the Trafford Partnership has tried to improve the way it works together to make the borough safer with schemes such as Safe4Summer driving down levels of anti-social behaviour.

Moving the CCTV operators into Stretford station and giving them access to police radios has helped to drive down levels of street crime.

Meanwhile work between police and Trafford Council has helped clamp down on those involved in serious and organised crime.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts, commander for Trafford Division, said: “Thanks to hard work of my staff and the improvement in the way we share skills and information with other agencies, we have managed to build on our fantastic achievements last year and make the area an even more hostile place for criminals to operate.

“It is important that we look beyond the figures and realise that they are not just numbers but incidents that actually have massive impacts on individuals’ lives.

“For example, if we have one less burglary that is one less person having to go through the traumatic experience of having their home invaded and personal possessions taken from them.”

Trafford Council director of finance Ian Duncan added: “Trafford Council is proud of the contribution it has made to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, and ensuring that residents, businesses and visitors feel safe.”